The central government on Thursday issued new guidelines for OTT platforms and digital media which provides for an oversight mechanism where the government puts the onus on platforms to develop the mechanism to control content.Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said that unlike print journalists who have to follow Press Council of India norms, digital media portals and OTT Platforms have no restriction so far."There should be a level playing field. Going forward, OTT and digital media platforms will have to abide by certain norms," he said.
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"Publishers of news on digital media would be required to observe norms of journalistic conduct of the Press Council of India and the Programme Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act thereby providing a level playing field between the offline (Print, TV) and digital media," Javadekar announced.The minister said that despite detailed negotiations with OTT platforms multiple times, there was no movement on formulating a regulatory mechanism."OTT platforms have to go for self-classification of content. Content would be self-classified into five age-based categories namely U (Universal), UA 7+, UA 13+, UA 16+, and A (Adult). There has to be a mechanism for parental lock and compliance report."
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Stating that numerous complaints had been received with regard to the content ofn the OTT and digital portals, Javadekar emphasised that the digital platforms have no right to mislead or spread fake news."Every freedom has to be a responsible free," he said.The minister said a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism will be in place for OTT platforms and digital media.This would include disclosing details of the publishers, establishing a grievance redressal system and having a self-regulation body headed by a retired Supreme Court judge or an eminent person in the category.
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